Abstract: The disclosure provides a tire pressure sensor assembly that includes a battery and a printed circuit board (PCB) configured with electronics to measure tire pressure and to transmit an electromagnetic signal related to the measured tire pressure. The PCB and battery are contained in a housing that allows the PCB and the battery to be angularly oriented with respect to each other. Such orientation permits the sensor to conform to the curved surface of the rim. An embodiment of the disclosed tire pressure sensor assembly is adapted to fasten to a valve stem via a metal terminal. The attachment configuration permits the valve stem assembly to deform as the valve stem is installed in a rim and also allows the valve stem to function as a portion of the antenna structure to facilitate transmitting the RF signal to a receiver.

Abstract: A tire pressure sensor assembly including a valve stem that can be preassembled and snap installed into a tire rim is disclosed. The tire pressure sensor assembly includes a valve stem and a printed circuit board configured with electronics for sensing tire pressure and transmitting radio frequency data related to tire pressure. The circuit board is rigidly connected to the valve stem. The valve stem and the electronics are contained in a unitary, integrated housing that is deformable to allow the valve stem portion of the assembly to be press fit into the rim opening. So installed, the assembly is securely mounted to the rim, but is no more time consuming to install than a conventional valve stem.

Abstract: An accelerometer or accelerator switch and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The device is fabricated from two substrates: a top substrate having a moveable mass, and a bottom substrate having at least one conductive plate. The top substrate is preferably a SOI substrate, and the mass and its suspending beams are formed in the silicon layer under which the insulator layer has been removed. The bottom substrate is preferably oxide. In one embodiment, the capacitance is formed using the mass as the first capacitor plate the conductive plate as the second plate. As the mass moves, the capacitance is detected to indicate the magnitude of the acceleration, or whether acceleration is above or below a threshold indicting an open or closed switch. The beams which suspend the mass can be serpentines, which make the device compact and render the mass more flexible. Alternatively, the bottom conductive plate can be split into two plates each coupling to the mass.

Abstract: A tire pressure sensor assembly including a valve stem that can be preassembled and snap installed into a tire rim is disclosed. The tire pressure sensor assembly includes a valve stem and a printed circuit board configured with electronics for sensing tire pressure and transmitting radio frequency data related to tire pressure. The circuit board is rigidly connected to the valve stem. The valve stem and the electronics are contained in a unitary, integrated housing that is deformable to allow the valve stem portion of the assembly to be press fit into the rim opening. So installed, the assembly is securely mounted to the rim, but is no more time consuming to install than a conventional valve stem.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a tire pressure sensor assembly that includes a battery and a printed circuit board (PCB) configured with electronics to measure tire pressure and to transmit an electromagnetic signal related to the measured tire pressure. The PCB and battery are contained in a housing that allows the PCB and the battery to be angularly oriented with respect to each other. Such orientation permits the sensor to conform to the curved surface of the rim. An embodiment of the disclosed tire pressure sensor assembly is adapted to fasten to a valve stem via a metal terminal. The attachment configuration permits the valve stem assembly to deform as the valve stem is installed in a rim and also allows the valve stem to function as a portion of the antenna structure to facilitate transmitting the RF signal to a receiver.

Abstract: An acceleration switch and method therefor includes providing a conductive substrate and an insulating cap. A recessed area is formed in the insulating cap. An insulating layer is disposed on the conductive substrate. A conductive layer is disposed on the insulating layer. The conductive layer is etched to form a cantilever beam and an electrically isolated island. The insulating layer is etched around the cantilever beam to free the cantilever beam to move. Contacts are disposed on the cantilever beam and in the recessed area such that the contacts are able to electrically contact each other upon application of an acceleration to the switch. The cap is bonded to the conductive layer to hermetically seal the cantilever beam.

Abstract: There is a sensor element (24) for an electronic sensor device (20). The sensor element (24) may have a substrate (43), a pair of proof masses (34a, 34b), a set of drive beams (44), and at least one base beam (46). The pair of proof masses (34a, 34b) are suspended above the substrate (43) and attached to the substrate (43) at fixed anchor points (50). The set of drive beams (44) are positioned between the proof masses (34a, 34b) and the anchor points (50). Each drive beam (44) has a first longitudinal body portion (62) that extends in a first direction and a first flexible spring member (64) that extends along a second direction. The base beam (46) interconnects the set of drive beams (44) and has a second longitudinal body portion (72) and a second flexible spring member (74). The second longitudinal body portion (72) extends along the second direction and the second flexible spring member (74) extends along the first direction.